commitment to diversity
1
reporting
Among the greatest powers I hold as a writer lies in the subjects I choose to cover and the stories I choose to tell. By embracing a diverse range of topics and voices, I fulfill my responsibility as a journalist by ensuring the stories I tell represent the full spectrum of experiences within our community. For me, this has meant amplifying the voices of our school’s unsung heroes, honoring the stories of the deceased, and speaking for those who, like Lamyaa Shaban, an immigrant from Egypt, face language barriers and cannot speak English. It has also meant encouraging my staff to do the same and report on a wide variety of news, from sports and politics to mental health and the weather.
2
Recruitment
Recruitment for The Dowling Catholic Post has always been a key priority in ensuring the longevity and diversity of our student journalism efforts. Having just five News Media members during the 2023-2024 school year, recruitment was more critical than ever. A diverse team would help grow the program, but just as importantly, it would help cover a broader range of topics in publication and represent the full range of voices and experiences within our community. One way we recruit a diverse group of members is at the Student Activities Fair, where we promote News Media and answer any questions. Another way is by collecting a list of eighth graders who intend on attending Dowling Catholic High School and mark interest in News Media during school visits. That way, we can contact students come class registration and remind them of the bright student journalist career ahead of them.
our poster for the student activities fair.
our list of potential future student journalists.
3
Representation
To truly reflect the richness of our community, the News Media staff must also be a rich and representative community, a microcosm of the diverse voices and experiences we report on. Dowling Catholic represents 35 Des Moines area communities and 47 zip codes; the News Media team is responsible for sharing the stories of 35 Des Moines area communities and 47 zip codes. By bringing our distinct lived experiences to the newsroom and by participating in and staying attuned to a wide variety of activities, we create comprehensive, relevant, and inclusive stories. This year, having a male voice on The Dowling Catholic Post has been an exciting (and needed) development, adding a new dimension to our work and expanding the perspectives we offer. It is my hope that this inclusion will continue for years to come, helping to foster even more diversity in both our team and the stories we share.
the team. s/o to our male voice, luke!